Chicken Parmesan Grilled Cheese (Print Version)

# Ingredients:

01 - 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
02 - 1 cup marinara sauce
03 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
04 - ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
05 - ½ cup Italian breadcrumbs
06 - ¼ cup flour
07 - 1 large egg, beaten
08 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
09 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
10 - 1 teaspoon dried basil
11 - Salt and pepper to taste
12 - 8 slices of bread (Italian, sourdough, or sandwich bread)
13 - 4 tablespoons butter, softened
14 - 2 tablespoons olive oil

# Instructions:

01 - Place the chicken breasts between two pieces of plastic wrap or parchment paper. Pound them to an even thickness (about 1/2 inch) using a meat mallet or rolling pin.
02 - Season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, garlic powder, dried oregano, and dried basil.
03 - Prepare three shallow dishes: flour in the first dish, beaten egg in the second, and Italian breadcrumbs mixed with Parmesan cheese in the third.
04 - Dredge each chicken breast in the flour, shake off excess, dip into beaten egg, and coat with breadcrumb-Parmesan mixture. Press breadcrumbs onto chicken to adhere.
05 - Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the breaded chicken breasts for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature 165°F or 74°C). Rest for a few minutes, then slice into strips.
06 - Spread a thin layer of marinara sauce on one side of each bread slice.
07 - Layer half of the slices with sliced chicken, additional marinara sauce, shredded mozzarella, and a sprinkle of Parmesan. Top with remaining bread slices, marinara side down.
08 - Butter the outside of each sandwich. Heat a skillet or griddle over medium heat and cook sandwiches for 3-4 minutes per side, until bread is golden brown and cheese is melted.
09 - Remove sandwiches from the skillet and let cool for a minute. Slice in half and serve immediately, optionally with extra marinara sauce for dipping.

# Notes:

01 - Choose a sturdy bread like Italian, sourdough, or high-quality sandwich bread to prevent sogginess.
02 - Use a good-quality marinara sauce or prepare homemade marinara for enhanced flavor.
03 - Chicken can be breaded and cooked ahead of time, then reheated before assembling sandwiches.